Way river runs into Irish port (5)

I believe the answer is:

larne

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'irish port' is the definition.
'larne' can be an answer for 'port' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'irish' bit.

'way river runs into' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'lane' (lane is a kind of way).
'river runs' becomes 'r' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'into' indicates putting letters inside.
'lane' going around 'r' is 'LARNE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for larne that I've seen before include "N Ireland port" , "port in Co. Antrim" , "part of County Antrim" , "NI town" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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